Kenji's Japanese Kitchen – A Social-Emotional Learning Story for Kids (Pre-K–1st Grade)

What do you do when someone says something hurtful about something you love?

Kenji's Japanese Kitchen follows Kenji, a boy who has just moved from Tokyo to America, carrying his grandfather's recipe book and a stomach full of butterflies. On his very first day at a new school, Kenji faces the kind of moment every child eventually encounters — someone is unkind about something that matters to him. And Kenji has to decide: react with anger, or respond with grace?

What he chooses — and how he does it — is worth reading twice.

This is Book 2 in the Creative Cuisine series — multicultural social-emotional learning stories for children ages 5–9 that use food, culture, and real childhood challenges to teach the skills kids need most.

What's Inside:

📖 A five-chapter illustrated story written specifically for Pre-K through 1st grade — shorter, simpler, and perfect for the youngest readers 🧠 Five embedded SEL Moment prompts covering all five CASEL competencies — including a powerful scene where Kenji practices deep breathing to manage anger in real time 🍜 Japanese cultural connection sidebar exploring ramen, nori, chopsticks, and the gratitude phrase itadakimasu 💬 A Reflection Page with discussion questions and a creative drawing prompt 👩‍🏫 A comprehensive Teacher's Guide with pre- and post-reading activities, a no-cook classroom ramen activity, differentiation tips for ELL students and students with special needs, and Common Core and Social Studies standards alignment

This book is perfect for:

✅ Pre-K and kindergarten read-alouds — the youngest book in the series ✅ Homeschool families building culturally diverse early childhood libraries ✅ SEL curriculum focused on anger management and calming strategies for young children ✅ Classrooms with English Language Learners — robust ELL differentiation included ✅ School counselors working with children on handling unkind comments and peer conflict ✅ Multicultural education, anti-bias curriculum, and immigration/transition themes ✅ Any child who has ever been the new kid

SEL Skills Taught: Managing Mixed Emotions · Deep Breathing & Calming Strategies · Making Friends · Responding to Unkindness · Cultural Pride · Gratitude · Empathy · Perspective-Taking

Why the Creative Cuisine Series?

Most SEL books for kids teach one skill in isolation. The Creative Cuisine series weaves multiple CASEL competencies into a single, engaging story — each one anchored in a real cultural tradition from around the world. Children don't just read about managing anger. They watch Kenji feel it rise up like boiling water — and then choose something better.

Each book in the series stands alone, so you can start anywhere. But collectors will notice that together, the series builds a genuinely diverse multicultural library spanning Japan, Mexico, Ethiopia, Italy, and India.

📥 Instant digital download — printable PDF, ready to use the same day.

His ojiichan's recipe book helped him share a piece of his heart with everyone.